"Now you see why you shouldn't underestimate people."
The moment Steven walked back into the lounge, Chen Shi folded his arms and teased him with a knowing grin.
"True enough," Steven admitted without a hint of embarrassment. "Flint surprised me more than expected. His Infernape and Rapidash were far stronger than I anticipated."
He exhaled. "My Metagross was injured pretty seriously. It's with Nurse Joy right now."
Chen Shi's brows tightened.
"Seriously? Will it affect tomorrow's match?"
The World Championship didn't pause for anyone. If your Pokémon couldn't fight, that was your problem.
Steven shook his head.
"Not that serious. Nurse Joy said after treatment, Metagross just needs to rest today. It'll be fine by tomorrow."
Only then did Chen Shi relax.
"Good."
Steven added, almost offhandedly, "By the way—Nurse Joy's Blissey was Elite-level. Even I didn't expect that."
"…Elite-level?"
Chen Shi fell silent.
The League was taking this tournament even more seriously than he thought.
Deploying a Joy with an Elite-tier Blissey meant zero mistakes were allowed.
"Your match is soon, right?" Steven asked. "Did you look into your opponent?"
Chen Shi shrugged.
"I don't know his strength. But I've heard of him. His personality… isn't great."
That made Cynthia turn her head in surprise.
She had traveled with Chen Shi for a year.
Warm, patient, endlessly gentle—
He rarely spoke ill of anyone.
For him to say someone had bad character…
That was not normal.
"What do you mean by 'bad character'?" Steven asked.
Chen Shi waved it off.
"It's hard to explain. If you ever meet him, you'll understand."
Seeing Chen Shi didn't want to elaborate, Steven let it go.
Chen Shi vs. Reggie
Soon, his match with Reggie approached.
After saying goodbye to his friends, Chen Shi headed toward the battlefield.
Before he entered the tunnel—
He unexpectedly crossed paths with his opponent.
A young man in a purple jacket.
Purple hair.
Cold eyes.
A natural-born arrogance in his expression.
Reggie.
Older brother of a certain infamous Trainer from another world—
And in Chen Shi's memory, not exactly known for kindness.
Reggie glanced at him with disdain.
"A Breeder should stick to breeding," he sneered. "What are you doing here pretending to be a Trainer? That Dragapult of yours is wasted on someone like you."
He didn't wait for a response—
He simply brushed past Chen Shi and walked into the opposite tunnel.
Chen Shi's belt shook.
Click!
Dragapult burst out on its own, eyes blazing with fury.
"BARRUYA!!!"
(He insulted MY Trainer!?)
The dragon vibrated with rage, glaring daggers at Reggie's back.
Chen Shi rubbed his temples.
…Yeah. His personality really was as nasty as rumored.
"How about this," Chen Shi said with a smile, "when the match starts… you teach him a lesson?"
"Barruya!"
Absolutely!
Dragapult puffed out its chest proudly.
"Good."
Chen Shi returned him to his Poké Ball and walked toward his own entrance.
The Arena
"Entering the field—Chen Shi!!"
The crowd erupted instantly.
"MY HUSBAND IS HERE!!"
"He uses a Galar Pokémon—Galar supports him no matter what region he's from!"
"FLASH DRAGAPULT!! PLEASE USE DRAGAPULT AGAIN!!"
"GO CHEN SHI!!!"
The host laughed loudly.
"I believe everyone already knows this Trainer—his Swampert and Dragapult have left unforgettable impressions! Now—let the battle begin!"
"Both Trainers—send out your Pokémon!"
Chen Shi didn't spare Reggie a glance.
He simply threw out Dragapult.
"Baruuuuya."
Dragapult's long eyes narrowed—dangerous, simmering with barely contained rage.
Reggie's lip curled.
"I'll show you what a real Trainer looks like."
He threw his Poké Ball.
Red light flashed—
Staraptor landed with a sharp cry.
Its black-white plumage gleamed, crest flowing like a warrior's plume.
Fast. Sharp. Deadly.
Chen Shi scanned it at once:
Pokémon: Staraptor
Level: 60
Potential: Elite
Ability:Reckless
Moves: Quick Attack, Double Team, Close Combat, Aerial Ace, Brave Bird, Acrobatics, U-turn, Air Slash, Tailwind…
"Not bad," Chen Shi murmured.
"A very good Staraptor."
The referee raised both flags.
"Battle—begin!"
Opening Gambits
"Staraptor—Tailwind!"
"Dragapult—Dragon Dance."
Reggie froze.
In his mind, the plan was simple:
Staraptor is immune to Ghost-type attacks.Dragapult can only reliably hit with Dragon-type moves.If he set up Tailwind, Staraptor's speed would soar.Then he could safely kite Dragapult at range and win with sustained pressure.
But—
Chen Shi also chose to set up.
And not with something safe like Substitute or Double Team—
He went straight for Dragon Dance.
Attack ↑
Speed ↑
Reggie's entire strategy—
Shattered instantly.
His plan no longer worked.
Not against this opponent.
Not against this Dragapult.
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